THE VICE-PRESIDENT of the Ladies Ulster Council has offered the reason he was given for Geraldine McLaughlin not getting an All-Star this year – adding that he does not accept it.
Hugh Devenney, a native of Laghey, was speaking at the Donegal GAA annual banquet in Donegal town last night, where he expressed his dismay the the Termon and Donegal forward McLaughlin being overlooked again for an All-Star.
McLaughlin was the championship’s top scorer with 7-33 in five matches to help Donegal to a fourth Ulster SFC in five seasons, yet she has never won an All-Star award having been nominated five times.
“Geradline McLaughlin is the best footballer in the 32 counties,” Devenney said. “And I have no hesitation in saying that anywhere. To say that we are disappointed that Geraldine didn’t get an All-Star is an understatement because Geraldine is one of the greatest girls that ever walked.
“People don’t realise how the All-Stars are picked. There are two from each of the four provinces that bring up 10 people. They pick the players throughout the year. It seems to be that you have to get to an All-Ireland semi-final to be in with a chance of getting an All-Star and unfortunately, we didn’t get to an All-Ireland semi-final. That’s the reason I’ve been given and it’s something I don’t accept.”
This year was the third in succession that McLaughlin has been top scorer in the championship overall and in 2018 when Donegal reached the All-Ireland semi-final and lost to Cork, Therese Doherty was their only All-Star winner.
The Hegarty sisters – Niamh and Ciara – were All-Star winners in 2017 as Donegal were knocked out of the championship by Mayo in the All-Ireland quarter-finals.
In 2010, Donegal were All-Ireland IFC winners and Yvonne McMonagle, now Bonner, picked up an award.
McLaughlin was unable to attend last night’s awards’ ceremony, where she won Lady Footballer of the Year. Her award was picked up by Termon club mate and county teammate Emer Gallagher.
